Bwindi gorilla trekking from Kabale town
Did you know that the biggest number of mountain gorillas can be found in Bwindi national park-Uganda? Can you believe that gorilla trekking experience is the most thought park activity in Uganda and Africa at large?
Bwindi gorilla trekking is one of the most sought experience as one plans for a safari in Africa. This experience is all about visiting and spending an hour while following the gorilla family trekked as you learn their behaviors but the overall experience takes about 3 to 8 hours Hiking and walking long distances in the jungle.
Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is located in south western part of Uganda also called the pearl of Africa which was description of Winston Churchill. This park covers an area of 129 square miles with diverse wildlife including 19 habituated gorilla families in four different sectors (Ruhija, Rushaga, Nkuringo and Buhoma) of which each offers a different in difficulty level of tracking.
Apart from the mountain gorillas, Bwindi alps is a home to other mammals like red tailed monkeys, olive baboons, elephants, duikers, buffaloes, golden cats, bush pigs, giant forest hogs and more others. Over 350 birds are observed hear and of which 14 birds species are only spotted here in the whole of Uganda. The park gets its name impenetrable forest since it comprises of thick herbs, vines and shrubs and among others are symphonia globulifera, red stink wood and many more others.
Gorilla trekking from Kabale town to Bwindi is possible when you want trek from Ruhija or Rushaga sectors. The drive can take about 1 hour meaning that you need to wake up early at around 05:00hrs such that by 08:00hrs you’re ready for briefing. This means that it’s possible to be a one day gorilla tour since the distance covered is small. After the experience, tourists are rewarded with certificates of trekking having the name of the trekked gorilla family. Rushaga sector is located southern part of Bwindi national park homing 8 habituated gorilla families and some of them are for habituation experience. Gorilla families here are Kahungye, Nshongi, Bweza, Busingye, Bikyingi, Mishaya, Mucunguzi, and Rwigi with a Chace of choosing any interested gorilla family. These families have different behaviors, members and location. As you are travelling to Rushaga sector, enjoy the beautiful scenery covered with VolcanoMountains like Mt Virunga, Mt Muhabura and Mt Gahinga accompanied with a view of Lake Bunyonyi the second deepest lake in Africa.
The gorilla trekking permits in Bwindi national park
Gorilla trekking permits are documents or receipts that are recognized and authorized from Uganda Wildlife Authority showing proof of booking and paying a specific gorilla family, the day and time for trekking and the name of the tourists paid to trek. These permits can only be bought from the Uganda Wildlife Authority offices either directly or through a tour or safari company that is licensed and registered. The cost of gorilla trekking permits is $700, $600 and 250,000 UGX for foreign nonresidents, foreign residents and east African citizens respectively. These permits can’t go below but keeps increasing due to high demand.
What to pack for your gorilla trekking in Bwindi National park
Like in any forest national park in Africa one need to have some materials to use such as a camera to capture great memories, a pair of Binoculars to enlarge distant objects, Hiking boots to make easy passing in slippery trails, sun screen to protect you from direct sunlight, extra money for tips and buying crafts, rain gears like the rain coat, Insect repellent to protect you from mosquitos, flies and many others. On top of this, you can also pack long leaves clothing with colors that reflects with the environments, gloves and more others.
Gorilla trekking rules and regulations
Ensure to carry with you payment receipts and permits, do not visit the gorillas if you have a cold or other infectious illness, minimum age for tracking is 15 years, human waste should be buried 30cm and deep, maximum number of visitors is eight persons per gorilla group.
While in the presence of the gorillas, maintain a 7m (21ft) distance from the gorilla, Smoking, eating and drinking are not permitted on the tour, if you must sneeze or cough cover your face and turn away from the gorillas, as they can catch coughs and colds from humans, visits are limited to one hour per gorilla group per day, do not use flash photography. To book your Bwindi gorilla trekking from Kabale town, look no further we are ready to help and turn your worries to memories.
